America the Beautiful Act

Bill Number: S. 1547
Origin Chamber: Senate
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-06-17: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 439.
Last Updated: 2026-06-18T15:43:28Z

AI-Generated Summary

# Purpose of the Legislation

This bill, titled the "America the Beautiful Act," amends title 54 of the United States Code to reauthorize the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund. It aims to provide sustained funding for addressing deferred maintenance on federal lands and facilities managed by agencies such as the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Forest Service.

# Key Provisions Outlined

Fund Reauthorization and Deposits: Extends the Fund through fiscal year 2031, shifting deposits from "Federal land and water" to "Federal onshore land." Establishes a priority order for deposits, incorporating amounts from recreation fees and nonresident surcharges before general appropriations. Caps total deposits, excluding certain additional sources.
Deferred Maintenance Definition: Adds a specific definition, including maintenance delayed from scheduled periods and limited reconstruction of demolished assets (under $5 million, with safety or resource protection criteria).
Fund Allocation and Use: Sets minimum percentages for nontransportation projects (e.g., 65% for National Park Service and Fish and Wildlife Service; 32% for Forest Service; 15% for BLM). Remaining funds may support transportation projects. Requires consistency with agency plans and prohibits use for land acquisition, supplanting annual funding, employee bonuses, or road decommissioning.
Project Selection and Oversight: Mandates annual submission of project lists and detailed data sheets to Congress for the current and next fiscal year. Prioritizes projects addressing safety threats, preventing deterioration, reducing backlogs, and supporting mission-critical or visitor assets. Requires solicitation of recommendations from states, territories, and tribes. Includes rules for alternate presidential allocation if appropriations are delayed.
Donations and Fees: Allows solicitation of donations (including via awareness campaigns and pass purchases), with 100% credited to the Fund and allocated to the relevant agency. Introduces a nonresident visitor surcharge at National Park System units with entrance fees, with proceeds directed to the Fund (subject to caps). Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to license intellectual property, using fees first for administrative costs and then for the Fund.
Efficiency Measures: Establishes categorical exclusions and streamlined environmental reviews under NEPA and historic preservation laws. Sets timelines for contract awards post-design approval. Allows noncompetitive contracts with states, tribes, nonprofits, and concessioners under certain conditions, with matching requirements for some entities. Raises micro-purchase thresholds. Caps administrative expenses at 3% of deposits.
Reporting and Disposal: Requires annual reports on maintenance actions and plans. Mandates disposal of unneeded constructed assets on deferred maintenance lists. Establishes standardized metrics for tracking deferred maintenance.

# Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced

Extends Fund authorization from 2025 to 2031 and expands funding sources through surcharges and intellectual property licensing.
Introduces a new statutory definition of "deferred maintenance" and specific allocation percentages by agency.
Adds a mandatory nonresident entrance fee surcharge, with public input requirements and exemptions for certain international peace parks.
Creates authority for the Secretary of the Interior to license trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual property, directing proceeds to the Fund.
Implements new procedural requirements for project lists, NEPA streamlining, noncompetitive contracting, and contract award timelines, altering prior discretionary approaches.

# Potential Impacts on Government Agencies, Citizens, or International Relations

Government Agencies: Provides dedicated, multi-year funding to reduce deferred maintenance backlogs across covered agencies, with requirements for improved planning, transparency, and efficiency in project execution. Limits flexibility in fund use and procurement.
Citizens: May improve conditions at parks and public lands through targeted repairs, while non-U.S. residents face additional entrance fees at National Parks. Includes opportunities for public input on fees and projects.
International Relations: Applies surcharges to nonresident visitors but exempts nationals of countries with memoranda of understanding for international peace parks. No other direct international provisions.

# Main Stakeholders Affected

Federal land management agencies (National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, Bureau of Indian Education).
Congress (through project list submissions and appropriations processes).
Visitors to federal recreational sites, particularly nonresidents.
State governments, territories, Indian Tribes, nonprofits, and concessioners (eligible for noncompetitive contracts and recommendations).
Gateway communities and local stakeholders (via public participation requirements).

# Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Modifies procurement rules under title 41, environmental review processes under NEPA and the National Historic Preservation Act, and fee authorities under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. Introduces new definitions and allocation mandates that could affect agency discretion.
Constitutional/Political: Emphasizes congressional oversight through project approvals and reporting. Balances executive allocation authority with legislative triggers tied to appropriations. Focuses on fiscal accountability and maintenance prioritization without altering core land management authorities.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]

Cosponsors (64)

Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME], Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND], Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA], Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT], Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH], Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK], Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO], Sen. McCormick, David [R-PA], Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ], Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME], Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE], Sen. Justice, James C. [R-WV], Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV], Sen. Banks, Jim [R-IN], Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA], Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS], Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN], Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC], Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI], Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR], Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR], Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA], Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND], Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV], Sen. McConnell, Mitch [R-KY], Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD], Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR], Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM], Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC], Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ], Sen. Husted, Jon [R-OH], Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI], Sen. Moreno, Bernie [R-OH], Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD], Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS], Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ], Sen. Marshall, Roger [R-KS], Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY], Sen. Mullin, Markwayne [R-OK], Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN], Sen. Schmitt, Eric [R-MO], Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA], Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC], Sen. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE], Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK], Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO], Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO] and 14 more

Recent Actions

2026-06-17: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 439.
2026-06-17: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
2026-06-17: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
2026-06-17: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
2025-05-01: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
2025-05-01: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

America the Beautiful Act — issued 2025-05-01 — PDF (6 pages)
America the Beautiful Act — issued 2026-06-17 — PDF (40 pages)